The French Bakers War, Michael Whatling
The French Bakers War, Michael Whatling
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

The French Baker's War

Author: Michael Whatling

Narrator: Paul Woodson

Unabridged: 9 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/06/2022


Synopsis

Absence isn't a hole. It's a presence living inside you, eating its way out.

Occupied France, 1943. Returning home from the daily hunt for the rationed ingredients necessary to keep his family pâtisserie open, André Albert finds his four year old son in the street, his wife gone, and a Jewish escapee cowering behind the display case.

Without Mireille, the foundation of André's world crumbles. He desperately searches for her, but finds more trouble than answers. Lives are further jeopardized when he agrees to hide Émilie, the escapee, and a Nazi officer shows up to investigate Mireille's disappearance.

André will do anything to bring his wife home, catapulting him, their son, and Émilie on a perilous journey impeded by temptation, past trauma, and stunning revelations.

The French Baker's War is as relevant today for its themes of duty to strangers and sacrifice for family.

Recommended for those who enjoyed The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Book Thief, and The Nightingale.

About Michael Whatling

Michael Whatling began his career as a technical writer for engineering firms in Canada, and Japan. Leaving to teach at the secondary and university levels, he returned to writing by penning A Vigil for Joe Rose, a collection of young adult short stories, based on his doctoral research, that made the American Library Association's Rainbow List.

He's the writer of the award-winning independent film, The Dancing Dogs of Dombrova.

The French Baker's War is Michael's first novel.


Reviews

The French Baker’s War by Michael Whatling was a very compelling and powerful story. It was unique in that it explored the fates of ordinary people trying to live their lives the best they could in occupied France during 1943. It was well paced and well written. The French Baker’s War was based on a......more

Goodreads review by Karren

Andre, Mireille and their four year old son Frederic live in an apartment above their patisserie shop in France and the Albert’s are a happy family. Due to the Second World War, it’s difficult to find baking supplies and Andre has to extend his search further. He returns one day to find his young so......more

Goodreads review by J

The French Baker’s War is a powerful story. Unlike other WWII fiction, the characters are not fighting for some higher cause, but to protect themselves and each other, a real human instinct that I found refreshing. There’s some great imagery and excellent dialogue here, and brilliant sections where w......more